Lower Lee (Cork City) Flood Relief Scheme (Including Blackpool and Ballyvolane)

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1 STUDY AREA MAP N LEGEND: Study Area (for which flood alleviation measures are to be identified) Additional Environmental Study Area (assessment area of environmental affects from proposed flood alleviation measures) Proposed Natural Heritage Areas, pnha Channel Centreline And Name Archaeological Features LEE

2 Constraints Study A Constraints Study is currently being undertaken by the project Environmental Consultants. The purpose of the Constraints Study is to determine and document the constraints that may inform the selection and design of the proposed Flood Alleviation Measures. Primary Constraints A range of constraints are being considered under the following categories: Flora and Fauna Fisheries Habitats Water Quality Archaeological, Architectural and Cultural Heritage Landscape and Visual Amenity Angling, Tourism and Recreational Use Flood Related Socio-Economic and Social Issues

3 Public Involvement Consultation will be undertaken throughout the process to ensure that the views of the public and other stakeholders are taken into account. The purpose of this initial Information Gathering Day is to: Provide information about the Objectives of the Scheme Outline the Design and Statutory Process Provide an Opportunity for Comment at a preliminary stage Gather information about Environmental Constraints Obtain other information relevant to the Scheme Following this initial public consultation, there will be further opportunities for involvement through attendance at future information days, when updates on the scheme progress will be presented. A questionnaire is available for you to complete and return with your own comments. Members of the project teams are present today to answer any questions you have, or take note of any relevant information.

4 Scheme Objectives & Overview The Office of Public Works, OPW have carried out a Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Study for the Lee Catchment. From this study, the draft Catchment Flood Risk Management Plan, published in February 2010, set out a range of potential flood risk management options for particular areas within the catchment including the Lower Lee (Cork City). The OPW has now commissioned Engineering and Environmental Studies to assess and develop a viable, cost-effective and sustainable Flood Relief Scheme, based on the preferred option from the Lee CFRAM Study. A report will be prepared describing the findings of the Engineering Study, which will include a description of the measures and scheme options assessed and the justification for its selection. The Project Team includes a Design Team made up of consulting engineers, the OPW, Cork City Council and Cork County Council in addition to the Environmental Team. A study area has been identified and the initial stages of the Lower Lee flood relief scheme have commenced, including Constraints Study and Preliminary Design Surveys. An Indicative Flow chart showing the process from inception through to construction for a flood relief scheme is shown on the figure below: Draft CFRMP Published Feb 2010 Lower Lee FRS Commenced May 2013 Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment CFRAM Study Flood Risk Assessment and Management Study Prioritisation of Schemes Development of Schemes Public Exhibition/ Planning Detailed Design Construction Develop an economically, socially and environmentally appropriate long-term strategy (a Flood Risk Management Plan) for managing the risk Development of schemes either on a catchment basis or local basis to public exhibition stage Construction of flood risk management scheme following public exhibition and detailed design

5 Formal Public Exhibition Process Once a preferred Flood Relief Scheme has been determined and an outline design completed, the OPW will formally publicly exhibit the proposed scheme in accordance with the Arterial Drainage Acts. This statutory process includes a four week Public Exhibition, during which the plans and particulars of the proposed scheme will be put on Public Display. Representatives of the Project Team will attend the Public Exhibition on various dates to explain the scheme to members of the public and to address queries. Copies of the EIS for the scheme will be available to the public during this time. Members of the public will be invited to submit written observations which will be considered and responded to. An Exhibition Report, including all observations received will be sent to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform before formal approval of the Scheme.

6 Flood Risk Assessment Setting FRM Objectives CFRMP Process (Including Blackpool & Ballyvolane) The Office of Public Works has employed consulting engineering companies to undertake an Engineering Study of the flooding problems along the Lower Lee downstream of Inniscarra reservoir to Cork City and on the River Bride in the Blackpool and Ballyvolane areas in Cork. The chart below shows how the follows on from the Lee CFRAMS and details the interaction between the Environmental Study Stages and the Engineering Study Stages for the Scheme. Screening and Identification of Option Process Multi-Criteria Option Assessment Identification of Preferred FRM Options The Draft CFRMP sets out a range of potential flood risk management options for particular areas within the Lee catchment including the Lower Lee (Cork City). Environmental Study Stages Stage 1 Public Consultation & Constraints Study Engineering Study Stages Stage 1 Hydrology & Hydraulic Modelling Draft CFRMP Stage 2 Consultation Final CFRMP Assessment of Options & Environmental Impacts of Flood Relief Scheme Options, Public Consultation on Emerging Preferred Option Stage 2 Design of Feasible Flood Relief Scheme Options, Cost Benefit Analysis, MCA Preferred Options Stage 3 CFRMP Implementation Preparation of EIS & Habitats Directive Appropriate Assessment for Preferred Options Stage 3 Detailed Flood Maps Final Engineering Report Lee Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Study (Lee CFRAMS) Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Studies (CFRAMS) and their product - Catchment Flood Risk Management Plans (CFRMP) - are at the core of this new national policy for flood risk management and the strategy for its implementation. The Lee CFRAM Study was the first pilot CFRAM Study for the new Flood Risk Assessment and Management Programme. The CFRMP Process chart above shows how the range of potential flood risk management options identified in the draft CFRMP (for the Lower Lee) progress to the as part of the overall Lee CFRAMS. Stage 4 Public Exhibition of Proposed Scheme Stage 5 Detailed Design & Statutory confirmation of scheme Stage 6 Construction

7 History of Flooding in Cork City The Irish Times - Saturday, November 18, Page 5 (Previously the Cork Examiner) Friday Evening November The Late Dreadful Flood Courtesy The Irish Times Courtesy Irish Examiner